Part 2: More Thoughts...

And, now, starting from a slightly different perspective for Part 2, (but still in reference to the view our country has on human life with abortion not only legal but encouraged).... humor me as my English-major self comes out... Here goes----In 1729, Jonathan Swift (the famous author of Gulliver's Travels) wrote a satirical essay (in keeping with his clever, shock-rendering style) entitled, “A Modest Proposal.” The subtitle reads, “For Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland from Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Public.” In this essay, Jonathan Swift suggests that the impoverished Irish population might ease their suffering by selling their children to the upper class, namely, the nobility and the rich. And what does Swift suggest that the nobility and rich do with these children you ask? They would eat them.

Swift’s writing begins as a very serious piece, describing the impoverished conditions of the poor in Ireland. Then, as if it were only the natural thing to do, he makes a suggestion to help ease this looming social dilemma. “A young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, or a ragout.” Ridiculous. Yes. But is it really? Swift does a solid job of making his macabre proposal sound reasonable by describing the young Irish children in terms of animal farming (or husbandry). In doing so, he makes them appear less than human. Less than human. Because then we don't have to feel so bad. "Once the children have been commoditized, Swift’s rhetoric can easily turn ‘people into animals, then meat, and from meat, logically, into tonnage worth a price per pound.’" So, anyway, after my little literature analysis rant (here's the connection:)... I plead with you.....especially you mothers and fathers....do your research and make informed decisions. Most of you believe that abortion is wrong, however, do we just think it to ourselves and keep quiet? What about the fact that our tax dollars go to fund the building of abortion clinics and to spread the availability of their services? (Not to mention that my dear husband's union dues also support these services---but regardless of his choice to join the union or not in MN, the union takes 85% of the dues out of his paycheck anyway---he has no choice in the matter). Abortion does not affect just those who choose it for themselves. We will all answer for our choices, and while there is not much we can do for the standings of our country as a whole, we can make individual choices for our families and our children. The more information we have, the more responsibility we have. Live by your convictions. Because really, of what benefit are conviction is one is not willing to live by them? But honestly, it's hard. Sometimes the wealth of thought that goes through my head overwhelms me on a daily basis.... (anyone else feel this way?) Choices and decisions perpetrate our days constantly, however, thankfully, many of them are mundane or at least, more preferential...like what to eat for lunch or if to curl my hair before going church. Then the more important questions---but with obvious answers: Like.... should I recycle? Obviously yes. We know the benefits of recycling are massive, and it is just sheer laziness to throw away aluminum cans and paper---we have the facts and we know better, and as James 4: 17 says, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (I like the KJV for this verse:) If we know the good we ought to do, but because of sheer laziness or simple defiance refuse to, it is sin. Simple, right? For recycling yes, but not in all things---it is not always so clearly defined for us. And in choosing to vaccinate or not, or which vaccines to use, (or whether to make a stink about joining the union), I am just not sure. One good thing to know regarding vaccination is that several of the shots that would include human fetal cells have animal-based alternatives. Apparently you can ask to get the measles and mumps vaccine separately from the rubella. However, as of yet, rubella and chicken pox do not have abortion-free alternatives. But apparently, something I also didn't know, (for you mother’s of little boys) rubella is not necessary for boys, as the need for the vaccine only develops later in life when a female reaches child-bearing age. So that is one less thing Jonas could have had. But I didn’t know. So, with all of that said, what can I/you do? Well, for starters, for the real deal, we can call Merck & Co. (the manufacturer of several of these vaccines). They will send you an list of ingredients, one mom that I heard about called and tried to talk to a drug-rep, but was told that she was not allowed to disclose the asked-after information and that giving her opinion on the phone could cost her her job. Interesting. But you can get the information sent to your home. Also, you can talk to your doctor. You have a right to know and ask questions, and more often than not, when I have debated with myself over asking a difficult question, I have always been glad that I did---Doctor's will give you answers, and there is always the option of asking for the abortion-free alternatives. That said, goodnight dear readers:) Let me know your thoughts, as you have taken the time to read mine:)